Discovery diverts for repairs

Another British cruise ship has been taking a battering in the stormy weather. MV Discovery, operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages, was returning to the UK from a winter lay-up in Greece when it ran into heavy seas.

The ship – last of the TV Love Boats – is scheduled to spend a week alongside in Avonmouth in preparation for its summer season of cruises.

But instead of heading straight for the Bristol Channel, it put into Falmouth for repairs to a 3-centimetre leak in the hull.

A CMV spokesman said today: The vessel was subjected to severe weather conditions on its passge from Greece, while crossing the Bay of Biscay. As a precaution, and with the availability of Falmouth Docks and its ship services, the owners took the opportunity to thoroughly inspect the vessel prior to taking up service.

“According to the owners’ information, they are very pleased with the performance and condition of the ship.”

Local newspaper the Falmouth Packet has reported that divers inspected the hull and undertook underwater repairs.

A confidential source tells me that the ship, which had encountered 10-metre waves in the Bay of Biscay. The leak was in the outer skin of a void tank in the hull.

Discovery is owned by All Leisure Group plc, who have announced they will be selling the ship at the end of this year because of rising running costs.

The vessel is expected to leave Falmouth later today (Friday) and should arrive in Avonmouth on Saturday. Its first cruise of 2014 sets off on Monday (February 24) to Norway, in search of the Northern Lights.